Cradle Mountain

And finally on to the most beautiful part of our stay, the Cradle Mountain National Park. It was actually quite a bit parkier than expected and some of us ended up wearing all of our clothes to keep warm. We did some lovely walks, short ones to see waterfalls on wonderful boardwalks, and a long one around the lake where Thea completed over 4km without being carried. We were extremely proud!

Nearby was a Tassie devil sanctuary. These creatures are dying out in the wild due to a facial cancer that actually spreads as they interact (ie fight over food, which is often). They're surprisingly cute looking up close. Not that you'd want to be in the cage with them.

Sorry some of the pics are sideways. I just can't face fixing them. Lie down next to your computer and you'll get the idea.






 
 
 
 

Going wild

Heading west through Mount Field National Park and Lake St Clair to the edge of the world at Strahan.

The ranger we did our walk thru Mount Field with swore that you could hear the trees drinking if you used a stethoscope. Vics wasn't quite so sure.

We experienced the Roaring Forties on the beach at Strahan. Man did they roar.

 
 
 
 

Hittin' Hobart

The Williamson's can't be without a decent cafe latte for too long. Time to go to Hobart.

The weather wasn't quite so good at Hobart, and we had an amusing drive up Mount Wellington for the fabled view over the city, only to have the mist descend so we could hardly see each other at the top.

Good cafes, and restaurants. While we were there a massive cruise liner arrived. Worth a gawp.


 
 
 
 

Freycinet frolics

At wineglass bay your wineglass is always half full.

We stayed at a beautiful beach house just outside Coles Bay, which was only slightly spolit by the appearance of a massive (harmless, but huge, really) spider in our bedroom on the first night. Gallant Will soon disposed of it.

The scenery around Coles Bay was truly stunning, and we did a beautiful but very tiring walk over the hills to Wineglass Bay itself, which was stunning. As you can see.

 
 
 
 

Lovin' Launceston

First stop on the grand tour of Tassie was Lanceston, a quiet little town on the river. We hung out at Cataract Gorge, where there was a chairlift over a lake (half way across I wondered if it really was a good thing to do with Thea), a swimming pool, and some stunning scenery. A cruise on the river completed the stay.

 
 
 
 

All aboard

Departing marvellous Melbourne for the delights of Tassie.

The highlight of Joyce & Mike's trip to see us was a two week holiday to Tasmania. Thea, Daddy, Nanna and Gramps travelled on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry for an 8 hour day trip across to Devonport on Tassie's north coast. Mummy and Dulcie took a flight which got them to the same place in around an hour.

 
 
 
 

A night on the tramcar

How much fun can you have on a tram?

One of the first things we did when W's folks were with us was to get on board the travelling tramcar restaurant and have 5 courses and a few drinks (can you tell?) whilst gliding round the city's tram tracks. I was paranoid that drinks would spill on the bends, but said tram has been fitted with some sort of stabilising gear to make sure it doesn't happen. The decor is an Australian version of victorian, so a bit chintzy. But huge fun.